Planning to Build

Who needs a Building / Development Permit?

A building permit / development permit is required for all types of construction: building, renovating, demolishing or relocating.

What requirements are needed?

If your Building is required to have an on-site sewage system, you are responsible to ensure you have approval from the Department of Environment for a new onsite sewage system. It is also important that you inquire about the quantity and quality of water if you are planning to have a private well as a water supply. The Building Inspection Department requires you to provide a set of building plans with such details as the foundation (wall height and thickness and the footings width and thickness), columns, carrying beams, floor joists, bearing walls and roof trusses/rafters. A plot plan is also required with setbacks from any adjacent properties and street lines. On this plot plan you should indicate distances from any other structures that may be on the lot. All areas of the town are regulated by a land use bylaw which you should take in to consideration when planning your building and its location. You can get a copy of the application by visiting the Town Office.

How do I apply?

To apply for a Building Permit in the Town of Stewiacke you must visit the Town Office at 295 George Street between the hours of 8:30AM and 4:30PM with the required information. When you apply, you must have the following:

At the time of application, you must pay a permit fee which varies from one project to another, depending on the type of use and construction you are requesting.

How do I get approved?

After your application is completed and all of the above required information and approvals are submitted, it will be reviewed by the appropriate staff to make sure that your proposed project complies with the land use bylaw, engineering regulations, and the Building Code.

When will my permit be issued?

When all of the required approvals and plans are submitted to the Building Inspection Department, your permit will be reviewed and approved, if found satisfactory, within seven days. Your permit will expire after one year from the date the permit was issued and may be renewed for another year at no charge.

When do I need an inspection?

Provincial Building Code Regulations require a total of five mandatory inspections. It is your responsibility to notify the Building Inspection Department that you are ready for the appropriate inspection, 48 hours in advance.

The Building Inspector will inspect during the following stages of construction:

When footings are in place.

When the foundation is in place and before the backfilling has taken place. b) Underground plumbing.

When the framing, roof, plumbing and mechanical are in place but exposed for inspection.

When the insulation and vapour barrier has been installed and remain exposed for inspection.

Before occupancy of the building.

Before you move into the new building you are required to call the Building Inspection Department for an occupancy inspection to ensure that all work completed complies with the Building Code and no unsafe conditions exist. This is mandatory!

The Building Code

The Nova Scotia Building Code Act and Regulations adopt the 1995 National Building Code for use in all municipalities in Nova Scotia. The main purpose of the Building Code is to establish a uniform set of construction standards to help ensure your building is safe for structural sufficiency, fire protection and general building safety.

Permit Fees

Residential Development: New and additions ( includes unfinished basements)

$25.00 plus $0.06 per sq foot

Residential Repairs or alterations

$25.00 plus $2.00 per $1000.00 of construction value

Residential accessory structures

$25.00

Outdoor residential decks, verandas, stairs, barrier fee ramps

$25.00

Occupancy Permits

$25.00

Commercials Industrial Development - New and additions under 2500sq ft